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No More Labor Excuses – Studies Support Dog BaitingLabor has run out of excuses why it cannot introduce aerial baiting of wild dogs, Shadow Minister for Country Victoria Philip Davis said today. By Phillip Davis - 6th July 2006 - Back to News Mr Davis said results of aerial baiting trials in New South Wales were now available, which prove little if any impact of aerial baiting on native wildlife, including the spotted-tail quoll.
In fact the results were so positive, Steve Bracks’ New South Wales Labor counterparts have now seen fit to introduce aerial baiting of wild dogs permanently.
The trials and research conducted in New South Wales revealed:
· Quolls eat toxic baits, but most survive;
· Aerial baiting is unlikely to have an impact on quoll populations as a whole;
· Quolls develop an aversion to baits through regular exposure to aerial baiting;
· Aerial baiting had minimal impact on the quoll populations studied; and,
· Aerial baiting which suppresses local fox and dog populations may benefit quolls in an area.
"There is no legitimate reason why aerial baiting cannot be introduced in Victoria," Mr Davis said.
"Wild dogs are devastating far East Gippsland and north-eastern Victoria, with farmers losing millions of dollars worth of stock.
"Despite this devastation, Labor has continually ignored the plight of farmers and ignored this problem.
"Enough is enough, Labor now has no more excuses."
A Liberal Government would conduct a strategic, detailed and controlled aerial baiting trial in Victoria.
If successful, aerial baiting will be continued as a regular method of wild dog control.
"The Liberal Party will not ignore Victorian farmers and their efforts to save their stock from wild dogs," Mr Davis said.
"There has been enough talk on this issue - action is long overdue."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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